Today, FTA issued the final rule for Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) in the Federal Register. Rail transit agencies nationwide will have one year to create a worker protection program geared at personnel who work on or around the tracks; implement comprehensive training for workers; and ensure that unsafe acts and conditions are reported.   

The safety of our transit workers is of paramount importance, and unsafe practices and conditions place rail transit workers at risk of being killed or seriously injured while performing work. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FTA’s Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) have both recommended regulatory action to address rail transit worker roadway safety.  

With this rule, FTA establishes minimum safety standards to prevent safety events for transit workers who may access the roadway in the performance of work. It is FTA’s first standards-based regulation. The rule applies to Rail Transit Agencies (RTA) in the State Safety Oversight (SSO) program, SSO agencies (SSOAs) and rail transit workers who access the roadway to perform work.  

More specifically, the rule:  

• Requires each RTA to adopt and implement an RWP program to improve transit worker safety that is consistent with Federal and state safety requirements and approved by their SSOA.  

• Establishes minimum RWP program elements, including job safety briefings, lone worker protection, and good faith safety challenges. 

• Requires each RTA to document its RWP program in a manual that includes a track access guide. 

• Implements an RWP training program that addresses all transit workers responsible for on-track safety.  

• Requires SSOAs to review and approve worker protection program elements for each RTA under their jurisdiction, monitor program implementation, and conduct annual audits to ensure compliance.  

FTA issued the RWP Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in March and received more than 7,000 comments.   

FTA is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to provide an overview of the rule and answer questions. Please register here. You may also contact FTASystemSafety@dot.gov with questions.